Insulated beverage cup

0001This Application is a continuation application of patent application Ser. No. 10/000,826 filed on Oct. 24, 2001, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

00021. Field of the Invention

0003This invention relates to an insulated drinking vessel and, more particularly, to a drinking vessel having a double wall insulated construction and a removable top lid with an integrated sip spout extending upwardly therefrom.

00042. Discussion of the Related Art

0005Insulated drinking vessels are well known in the art. Moreover, drinking vessels having a double wall structure with an insulating void between the walls are well known. Notwithstanding, there remains a longstanding and unfilled need for an insulated drinking vessel having an inner wall, an outer wall spaced from the inner wall to form an insulating void between the walls, and a removable top lid having an integrated sip spout extending upwardly therefrom, thereby providing a spill proof drinking vessel which maintains the temperature of the liquid beverage contents within a desired range for an extended period of time. In particular, there remains an urgent need for a child's sip cup having a double wall insulating structure with a removable top lid having an integrated sip spout extending upwardly from the lid. There is a further need for an insulated drinking vessel with light absorbing luminescent material for enhancing the appearance and visibility of the drinking vessel, as well as the level of the liquid contents, when in dark and dim light conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0006The present invention is directed to an insulated drinking vessel which includes an inner wall surrounding an interior for containing a liquid beverage and a transparent outer wall spaced from the inner wall to form a space or void which acts to insulate the vessel interior in order to maintain the temperature of the liquid beverage contents within a desired range throughout a period of time required to consume the beverage contents. A removable top lid is provided for covering the open top of the vessel. The top lid includes an integrated sip spout extending upwardly therefrom which allows the beverage contents to be consumed while the lid remains attached to the vessel. The lid further serves to prevent accidental spill of the beverage contents. In one embodiment, a light absorbing luminescent material is applied to the insulating double wall structure of the vessel to enhance the appearance and visibility of the drinking vessel, as well as the liquid contents therein, when in a dark or dim light environment. The luminescent material may be applied to the exterior surface of the inner wall so that the luminescent material is encapsulated by the inner and outer walls. This serves to prevent exposure of the luminescent material to the beverage contents and the user, while also preventing removal of the luminescent material due to contact (e.g. scratching) or exposure to harsh conditions, such as in a dishwasher.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

0007It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an insulated drinking vessel for beverages, wherein the vessel is provided with a double wall construction and a removable top lid having an integrated sip spout.

0008It is a further object of the present invention to provide an insulated drinking vessel in the form of a child's sip cup wherein the drinking vessel includes an insulating double wall construction and a removable top lid with an integrated sip spout and valve for resisting spills.

0009It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an insulated drinking vessel having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall to provide an insulating void therebetween, and further wherein the insulated drinking vessel includes luminescent features to enhance the visibility of the drinking vessel in dark and dim light environments.

0010It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an insulated drinking vessel which glows in the dark to enable the user to determine the amount of liquid beverage contents remaining in the drinking vessel when in dark or dim light conditions.

0011These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0012For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a elevational view of the insulated drinking vessel of the present invention, in accordance with one embodiment thereof;

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a top perspective view of the insulated drinking vessel of the present invention, shown with a removable lid attached thereto;

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a top plan view, in cross-section, taken along the plane of the line indicated by the arrows <b>3</b>—<b>3</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>; and

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an elevational view, in partial cross-section, showing a double wall insulated child's sip cup with a removable top lid having an integrated sip spout extending upwardly therefrom in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

0017Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

0018The insulated drinking vessel of the present invention is shown throughout the drawings according to various embodiments thereof, wherein the drinking vessel is generally indicated as <b>10</b>.

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1–3</figref> illustrate one embodiment of the drinking vessel <b>10</b>. In this particular embodiment, the drinking vessel <b>10</b> is in the form of a tumbler or highball drinking glass. The drinking vessel <b>10</b> is provided with an insulated wall structure including an inner wall <b>12</b> and an outer wall <b>14</b>. The inner wall <b>12</b> surrounds an interior <b>15</b> of the drinking vessel which is structured and disposed to contain a liquid beverage therein. The outer wall <b>14</b> is spaced from the inner wall to provide a gap or void <b>16</b> between the inner and outer walls. The inner wall and outer wall are joined at an upper end to form a rim <b>18</b> surrounding an open top <b>20</b> communicating with the vessel interior <b>15</b>. In a preferred embodiment, both the inner wall <b>12</b> and outer wall <b>14</b> are formed of a transparent material.

0020Referring to the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1–3</figref>, a removable top lid <b>30</b> is provided for covering the open top <b>20</b> of the drinking vessel <b>10</b>. The top lid <b>30</b> includes a valve for closing an opening in the lid, thereby preventing inadvertent spills. Specifically, a sliding guard <b>35</b> pivots at its center <b>37</b> to move over an opening <b>33</b> in the lid <b>30</b>, thereby blocking the opening <b>33</b> so that the liquid beverage contents within the vessel <b>10</b> are unable to exit the opening <b>33</b> in the event the drinking vessel is turned on its side or inverted.

0021In at least one embodiment, the inner wall <b>12</b> is provided with a light-absorbing luminescent material <b>22</b> which glows in the dark and is visible through the outer transparent wall <b>14</b>. The luminescent material enhances the appearance of the drinking vessel <b>10</b> and allows the user to see the drinking vessel when in dark or dim light conditions. The luminescent material further allows the user to view the level of the liquid contents in the drinking vessel when in a dim light or dark environment.

0022A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. Specifically, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates a child's sip cup having an insulated double wall structure, including an inner wall <b>12</b>, an outer wall <b>14</b> and an insulating void <b>16</b> between the walls <b>12</b>, <b>14</b>. Screw threads <b>32</b> formed on the outer surface of the cup, just below the top rim <b>18</b>, enable screw attachment of the top lid <b>30</b>, to cover the top opening of the sip cup. The top lid <b>30</b> is formed to include an integrated sip spout <b>34</b>. The sip spout <b>34</b> extends upwardly from a remainder of the lid <b>30</b> to facilitate ease of placement of the sip spout <b>34</b> within a child's mouth in a manner which allows the child's lips to be sealed around the sides of the sip spout <b>34</b> when consuming the beverage contents. A valve <b>36</b> is provided on the lid <b>30</b>, in fluid communication with the sip spout <b>34</b> to prevent inadvertent discharge and spills of the beverage contents through the sip spout <b>34</b> in the event the sip cup is inverted or tipped on its side. Much like the embodiment described in connection with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1–3</figref>, the sip cup may be provided with a light absorbing luminescent material to enhance the appearance and visibility of the sip cup, as well as the liquid contents therein, when in a dark or dim light environment. Preferably, the light absorbing luminescent material is applied to the insulating double wall structure, within the void, such as on the outer surface of the inner wall.

0023While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention which, therefore, should not be limited except as set forth in the following claims as interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents.